World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2017

15th June 2017

On Thursday 15th June 2017 it is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Started by the UN in 2012, this global event looks to raise awareness of the abuse the elders in our society are subjected to and looks to raise awareness to prevent and expose the dangers.

Elder abuse can be financial, physical, sexual, emotional or is caused by neglect. The Action on Elder Abuse website claims Elder Abuse affects about 500,000 older people across the UK each year! The one thing each form of Elder Abuse has in common is that only around 6% of cases are reported.

This year’s theme as declared by the UN“Understand and End Financial Abuse of Older People: A Human Rights Issue.”

Financial Abuse in the UK takes many forms: out-right theft, fraud, misuse of property and Power of Attorney as well as denying access to funds. The risk factors of falling victim of financial abuse include: social isolation, cognitive impairment or other dependencies on the abuser. This year’s theme hopes to highlight preventing financial exploitation.

Karon Walton, Head of Tollers Elderly and Vulnerable Client Unit says: "It is so important if you or a loved one is subject to abuse that action is taken for it to stop immediately , this can be done in many ways but getting advice and help from a specialist will help you make an informed decision."

Age UK have summed up the epitome of what World Elder Abuse Awareness Day hopes to achieve: 'Sometimes all we need is a helping hand - be there for those who need support & report Elder Abuse'

Veronica Male, a specialist in Care Home Abuse and Neglect adds: “We support World Elder Abuse Awareness Day as it is so important for people to understand that this abuse occurs and that there are steps they can take to report and stop it”

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